[LearsFool]

Well you've finally spotted the reason for the Holy Ghost coming upon Cornelius. Something different, indeed.

This was the final step needed to show Peter than Gentiles would be accepted on the same terms as Jews. First was the vision of clean and unclean foods. Next was the Spirit telling him to go with these Gentiles without arguing. Then came the telling and retelling of the angel's visit to Cornelius. And finally, as Peter notes, "God bare them witness" (referring to the Gentiles) "and put no difference between us and them".

So, Gentiles would be saved on the same basis as Jews. That was indeed something new, something previously unrevealed - not to mention surprising and needing to overcome some resistance. No wonder God chose this method of making it known.

So, since these Gentiles believed in Jesus, Peter commands they be baptized for the remission of sins just the same as Jews, putting them in Jesus' first category.

- Peter's conclusion from all this is that things have changed and now Gentiles are candidates for salvation on the same basis as Jews.

- Your conclusion is that things have changed and now baptism is no longer for remission of sins.

To make his conclusion apparent to all, he asks whether anyone could forbid water for baptism (Acts 10:47). Had you been there, would you have raised your hand?

Peter realized that to forbid the waters of baptism for Gentiles to be saved, would be to "withstand God" (Acts 11:17). Had you been there, would you have withstood God?

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***Gentiles are candidates for salvation on the same basis as Jews.***

No, you got it backwards. Cornelius was saved when the Holy Spirit fell on him. Baptism came later.

To the Jew, believe, baptized, filled with Holy Spirit.

Samaritan, Believe baptized, Holy Spirit when later apostles laid hands on them.

Gentile, Believe, Holy Spirit fell on them BEFORE baptism.

So the Gentiles were saved BEFORE they were baptized, which most Evangelical churches teach today.